pvmcitypaper.comIssue 59227 March to 2 April - 2020

27 March to 2 April - 2020 Issue 592pvmcitypaper.com

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pvmcitypaper.com Issue 592 27 March to 2 April - 2020Need to Know

If you’ve been meaning to find a little information on the region, but never quite got around to it, we hope that the following will help. If you look at the maps on this page, you will note that PV (as the locals call it) is on the west coast of Mexico, smack in the middle of the Bay of Banderas - one of the largest bays in this country - which includes southern part of the state of Nayarit to the north and the northern part of Jalisco to the south. Thanks to its privileged location -sheltered by the Sierra Madre mountains- the Bay is well protected against the hurricanes spawned in the Pacific. Hurricane Kenna did come close on October 25, 2002, but actually touched down in San Blas, Nayarit, some 200 kms north of PV. The town sits on the same parallel as the Hawaiian Islands, thus the similarities in the climate of the two destinations.

You are here, finally! We wish you a warm

yet, if you have a “bank card”, withdraw funds from your account back home. Try to avoid exchanging money at your hotel. Traditionally, those offer the worst rates.

WHAT TO DO: Even if your all-inclusive hotel is everything you ever dreamed of, you should experience at least a little of all that Vallarta has to offer - it is truly a condensed version of all that is Mexican and existed before «Planned Tourist Resorts», such as Cancun, Los Cabos and Ixtapa, were developed. Millions have been spent to ensure that the original “small town” flavor is maintained downtown, in the Old Town and on the South Side.

DRINKING WATER: The false belief that a Mexican vacation must inevitably lead to an encounter with Moctezuma’s revenge is just that: false. For the 26th year in a row, Puerto Vallarta’s water has been awarded a certification of purity for human consumption. It is one of only two cities in Mexico that can boast of such accomplishment. True, the quality of the water tested at the purification plant varies greatly from what comes out of the tap at the other end. So do be careful. On the other hand, most large hotels have their own purification equipment and most restaurants use purified water. If you want to be doubly sure, you can pick up purified bottled water just about anywhere.

EXPORTING PETS: Canadian and American tourists often fall in love with one of the many stray dogs and cats in Vallarta. Many would like to bring it back with them, but believe that the laws do not allow them to do so. Wrong. If you would like to bring a cat or a dog back home, call the local animal shelter for more info: 293-3690.

LOCAL SIGHTSEEING: A good beginning would be to take one of the City Tours offered by the local tour agencies. Before boarding, make sure you have a map and take note of the places you want to return to. Then venture off the beaten path. Explore a little. Go farther than the tour bus takes you. And don’t worry - this is a safe place.

that can only be boarded there. They have pre-fixed rates per passenger. City cabs are yellow or white, and charge by the ride, not by passenger. When you ask to go downtown, remember that your fare covers the ENTIRE central area, so make sure you are brought to the main plaza! Pick up a free map, and insist on your full value from the driver! Note the number of your taxi in case of any problem, or if you forget something in the cab. Then your hotel or travel rep can help you check it out or lodge a complaint.

Uber has also been available in PV for the past year or so. Download their app in your smartphone.

TIME ZONE: The entire State of Jalisco is on Central Time, as is the area of the State of Nayarit from Lo de Marcos in the north to the Ameca River, i.e.: Nuevo Vallarta, Bucerías, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Sayulita, San Pancho, Punta Mita, etc. North of Lo De Marcos, Guayabitos, La Peñita, San Blas, etc. are on Mountain Time, i.e.: one hour behind PV time.

TELEPHONE CALLS: Always check on the cost of long distance calls from your hotel room. Some establishments charge as much as U.S. $7.00 per minute!

CELL PHONES: Most cellular phones from the U.S. and Canada may be programmed for local use, through Telcel and IUSAcell, the local carriers. To dial cell to cell, use the prefix 322, then the seven digit number of the person you’re calling. Omit the prefix if dialling a land line.

LOCAL CUSTOMS: Tipping is usually 15%-20% of the bill at restaurants and bars. Tip bellboys, taxis, waiters, maids, etc. depending on the service. Some businesses and offices close from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., reopening until 7 p.m. or later. In restaurants, it is considered poor manners to present the check before it is requested, so when you’re ready to leave, ask «La cuenta, por favor» and your bill will be delivered to you.

MONEY EXCHANGE: Banks will give you a higher rate of exchange than the exchange booths (caja de cambio), though not all offer exchange services to foreigners. Better

AREA: 1,300 sq. kilometersPOPULATION: 350,000 inhabitantsCLIMATE: Tropical, humid, with an average of 300 sunny

days per year. The temperature averages 28°C (82°F) and the rainy season extends from late June to early October.

FAUNA: Nearby Sierra Vallejo hosts a great variety of animal species such as iguana, guacamaya, deer, raccoon, etc.

SANCTUARIES: Bahía de Banderas encloses two Marine National Parks - Los Arcos and the Marieta Islands - where diving is allowed under certain circumstances but fishing of any kind is prohibited. Every year, the Bay receives the visit of the humpback whales, dolphins and manta rays in the winter. During the summer, sea turtles, a protected species, arrive to its shores to lay their eggs.

ECONOMY: Local economy is based mainly on tourism, construction and to a lesser degree, on agriculture, mainly tropical fruit such as mango, papaya, watermelon, pineapple, guanabana, cantaloupe and bananas.

CURRENCY: The Mexican Peso is the legal currency in Mexico although Canadian and American dollars are widely accepted.

BUSES: A system of urban buses with different routes. Current fare is $10.00 Pesos per ticket and passengers must purchase a new ticket every time they board another bus. There are no “transfers”.

TAXIS: There are set rates within defined zones of the town. Do not enter a taxi without agreeing on the price with the driver FIRST. If you are staying in a hotel, you may want to check the rates usually posted in the lobby. Also, if you know which restaurant you want to go, do not let the driver change your mind. Many restaurateurs pay commissions to taxi drivers and you may end up paying more than you should, in a second-rate establishment! There are 2 kinds of taxi cabs: those at the airport and the maritime port

Welcome

250 words max, full name, street or e-mail address and/or tel. number for verification purposes only. If you do not want your name published, we will respect your wishes. Letters & articles become the property of the PVMIRROR and may be edited and/or condensed for publication. The articles in this publication are provided for the purpose of entertainment and information only. The PV Mirror City Paper does not accept any responsibility or liability for the content of the articles on this site or reliance by any person on the site’s contents. Any reliance placed on such information is therefore strictly at such person’s own risk.

An Important Notice:

PV Mirror es una publicación semanal. Certificados de licitud de título y contenido en tramite. Prohibida la reproducción total o parcial de su contenido, imágenes y/o fotografías sin previa autorización por escrito del editor.

The PVMIRROR wants your views and comments. Please send them by e-mail to: avineberg@yahoo.com

To Advertisers & Contributors and those with public interest announcements, the deadline for publication is:

2:00 pm on Monday of the week prior to publication.

NOTE:

Publisher / Editor:

Cover Photo:

By César Langarica SantanaOf Reporte Diario Vallarta

Graphic Designer:

Office & Sales:Webmaster:

Online Team

avineberg@yahoo.comAllyna Vineberg

“Morelos St.”

Leo Robby R.R.

223.1128pvmcitypaper.com

Contributors:

I N D E X :

Anna Reisman / Ronnie Bravo / Krystal Frost Harriet Murray / Stan Gabruk / Sheryl NovakTommy Clarkson / Marcia Blondin Jennifer Mann / Leza Warkentin Ricardo Mazcal / Julie Bunker / Cordell Hicks

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pvmcitypaper.comIssue 59227 March to 2 April - 2020 Editorial /Comments

Dear Editora,

avineberg@yahoo.com

Your Comments

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It’s TIME, the end of Central Standard Time (CST) and the return to Central Daylight Saving Time (CDST) in most of Mexico - including our State of Jalisco and the southern parts of the State of Nayarit, along the Bay of Banderas.

Therefore, on this first Sunday of the month, April 5th, areas on CST spring forward to Central Daylight Saving Time at 2:00 a.m. local time.

So… don’t forget to turn your clocks forward one hour before going to sleep on Saturday night, April 4th. You wouldn’t want to be one hour late for your appointment …or your flight, would you?

SPRING FORWARD!

Another great season in Vallarta with the Mirror. Thanks for all you do to promote what is best in our town.

I recently visited a store that you advertised called “Casa Oaxaca”. The shop is in Zona Romantica… an easy walk for most. It is an unbelievable shop filled with beautifully woven pillow covers, bedspreads, tablecloths, runners, wall hangings and wood furniture and more. The quality is unparalleled, and the colors and designs are magnificent.

I urge everyone to visit and pick up the perfect gift to bring back home or use in your PV home. In these uncertain financial times, it would be a shame to lose a new shop that offers traditional and modern textiles, art and home decor that can’t be found anywhere else in Vallarta. Check out Casa Oaxaca so they are here when you return next high season.

Larry Leebens

EditorialWelcome to a most unusual pandemic

Springtime in Puerto Vallarta!This is repetitive, I know, but I want to

do something I don’t do often enough, and that is to express a big Thank You! to all our contributors, readers and advertisers (especially those who have chosen to continue advertising during these difficult times, just so that we may be able to continue printing the Mirror.)

Without doubt, this was the very best winter season we’ve had since the Mirror came into being in October 2008 – until the unsolicited virus hit. Again, we ask you, our readers, to continue helping us.

It’s easy: just tell your favorite restaurant, pastry shop, physician, gym, dog walker or interior decorator about us. If they advertise with us, we will help promote their business so that they may survive, and they will help us do the same. If you’re in PV, and happen to visit those who have already put their faith in us by advertising in the Mirror, please tell them you saw their ad here, so they’ll know their money was well spent. Only thus can we continue to provide you –for free- with as much interesting content as we can gather every week to fill the limited space we still have.

One word of caution regarding this issue: it covers April Fool’s Day, so do be careful with what you read, what you believe, and what may be aimed at “fools” in these pages. However, the change to Daylight Savings Time is no joke!

In the meantime, on behalf of all of us at the PV Mirror City Paper, I hope you all stay safe, stay well and healthy, no matter where you are.

Allyna VinebergPublisher / Editor

pvmcitypaper.com Issue 592 27 March to 2 April - 2020Within PV4

It’s a wrap! That’s it. The International Friendship Club (IFC) has concluded another very successful season. We have no idea what the future holds, so I am going to celebrate the Club’s achievements during the past four months.

IFC was started 35 years ago, helping a few Mexican families with children who had been born with cleft palates, get free surgery. These surgeries were funded by selling tickets to see beautiful homes owned by members and friends. At that time, the Club’s only social activity was a Friday night get-together for a cerveza or a margarita. That’s all we had in 1985. Here’s what happened in the 2019/20 season.

- Babies, born with cleft palates and cleft lips, continued to be

It’s a wrap!John Warren

evaluated by and to receive free surgical care from the medical team from Guadalajara. The surgeon, anesthetist, and support staff still fly here three or four times a year and donate their time and their expertise to these kids.

- A team of volunteers from IFC provides accommodation, meals, and logistical support for them. CMQ Premiere hospital continues to donate operating facilities.

- In the last four months, about 600 people joined IFC as members, and dozens and dozens volunteered to help with the Club’s activities. The Club’s one paid employee, it’s very competent Administrator, performed well under pressure.

- Financial help to the community went out to not just the cleft palate

kids, as it did in 1985, but to over twenty different charities as well. The needs that these organizations provide throughout the Bay of Banderas include health, education, supplementary food supplies, and cultural activities.

- The Club helped children with cancer. Those who have to go to Guadalajara for treatment got help with the bus fares for them and their moms. The Club helped buy nutritious food for them too. Food they would otherwise not be able to afford.

- IFC supported the children who attend Pasitos De Luz. These kids suffer from acute physical and/or psychological illnesses, and Pasitos provides a broad range of services free of charge, including physical therapy, psychological care, nutrition and wellness, education programs, and much more!

- The Club helped SETAC, an organization devoted to prevention and treatment of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases in the region.

- The Club supported the Volcanes Kids Education Project by helping pay part of the teachers’ salaries. Volcanes provides after-school education to 400 children in one of the poorest colonias in Puerto Vallarta.

- A month ago, the IFC helped a not-for-profit organization for the deaf community establish itself.

- It helped with living expenses for University students from the Huichol nation to attend universities of their choice.

- Dives en Misericordia, Arroyos de Esperanza, the Salvation Army and

Solo Con Voluntad are community organizations that provide food for the poor, and safe places for children to do their homework and to just hang out. They received IFC’s support.

- IAMPV and ALAS give children and adults places to learn music and to sing. They, too, were beneficiaries of the Club’s activities.

The social and educational offerings of the IFC have also increased dramatically in the last thirty-five years.

- The Club continues with a social hour on Fridays but has added opportunities for members to get together after that with visits to restaurants in small, organized groups.

- There are brunches to open and close the season and party at the end of December.

- Now, members have the opportunity to learn and to play bridge, to practice yoga and meditation, and to watch a weekly movie.

- Spanish classes were very popular this season, as were lectures on Mexican culture, religion, and history.

This season saw the Club’s bi-annual election of a new board. The good news is that some familiar and experienced faces remain, and new directors, with visions of a new and improved Club, were elected.

But there is bad news too. IFC had to cut its season short. The famous IFC Home Tours, which is the primary source of income for the Club, had to shut down early. So did many social and educational programs. We missed getting together at the Closing Brunch to say our fond farewells. All because of you-know-what.

For this season, “It’s a wrap”. It was an excellent one for the International Friendship Club and for the organizations in Puerto Vallarta that it supports. We are looking forward to December 2020 and the start of our 36th season!

pvmcitypaper.comIssue 59227 March to 2 April - 2020 Within PV 5

(PVBS) Professor Juan Carlos Innocuous, using ground penetrating radar, has discovered a number of, what he believes are, treasure chests buried hundreds of years ago by pirates.

Banderas Bay was a well known shelter from storms in the old days of sailing ships, and pirate vessels often found refuge and ships to plunder in the bay. Historical records have documented several dozen ships that were attacked by pirates here in the bay between the early 1500s and the late 1800s. It is believed that those pirates, to safeguard the treasures that they stole from those vessels, buried them in wooden chests in various locations in what is now known as Los Muertos Beach.

Pirate treasure discovered on Los Muertos BeachLos Muertos Beach means “Beach of the Dead”, and it is believed

that the name stems from the fact that the pirate sailors who buried the treasure were murdered soon afterwards to keep the location of the buried treasures a secret.

In a recent interview, Professor Juan Carlos would not comment on the number of buried treasure sites that he and his team have identified, but hinted that the number is greater than a dozen. He did indicate that the value of any one treasure chest could easily be in excess of hundreds of millions of pesos, but the historic value of the items in the treasure chests was of greater importance to researchers, historians and the countries that originally owned the treasures that the pirates confiscated and ultimately buried.

Professor Juan Carlos said that some of the treasure chests were only a foot or so (30 cm) below the surface, and the deepest one that has been identified is a little over one-and-a-half-meters (5 feet) beneath the sands of Los Muertos Beach.

Professor Juan Carlos and his research team from the prestigious University of Mezcal & Tequila (U de MT), have obtained excavation permits from the Mexican Federal Government, which are valid for the entire month of April. They will begin roping off areas of Los Muertos Beach on Wednesday, the First of April. Digging will commence immediately afterwards and the Professor believes that the first treasure chest will reveal its contents before noon of the first day of digging.

Depending on the success of the excavations, further exploration is planned along the beaches of the Malecon in the following months.

pvmcitypaper.com Issue 592 27 March to 2 April - 2020Within PV6

Marcia Blondinmarciavallarta@gmail.com

From Here

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It’s like August in Vallarta, without the heat or aggressive humidity. Even quieter for me as I am only a few blocks from the church, and it is locked up tight - no Masses on Sunday, literally and figuratively.

I attended Kim Kuzma’s last show at the Palm a week ago. With me, Merv and Sandy Buchanan and Elvis tribute artist, Matt Cage. Merv is the brains behind the wildly successful tribute shows in Bucerías, Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Zihua, and Matt is one fabulous Elvis. Kim’s last rousing and emotional show became the Palm’s ultimate one as well - until this pandemic is under control.

Watching the dominoes fall in a city that thrives on crowds on a daily basis, or we don’t eat. Our Kim cut her season short to go back to Vancouver to be with her mom; what an only child must do in times of crisis. Then the theatre closes, and with just that, ticket sellers, light and sound techs, bartenders, wait staff, and every

In the quiet

entertainer and their families suddenly have nowhere to go in the morning. Take this scene and multiply it by the hundreds all over Vallarta. A city with zero cases of Coronavirus. But I digress.

After Kim’s show, the four of us headed to Langostinos for a late dinner next to the deserted beach. We chatted easily and comfortably; the restaurant was almost empty; the wait staff cut to two and no live entertainment to fill the spaces between dialogue. As always, the food was wonderful, as was the service. We were grateful to find them open and so very welcoming.

A couple of days later - lunch with my editor! At Vitea on the Malecon, the tables were set far apart, and, of course, we were outside watching the few locals and tourists meandering slowly in the sunshine. A few hours flew away - we jogged each other’s memory about people, places, and things in Vallarta’s past thirty years of history. And we were warm in the sun (important to two transplanted Canadians), warm from brilliantly prepared food and warm from our friendship that goes back more than 25 years.

With all the entertainment venues closed, you can pick up current issues of the PV Mirror at Arte Viviente, downtown Vallarta at 800 Morelos, by Pipila. We are still open at 11 a.m., attempting to provide our 50+ artists with some income after all markets in the bay have closed.

Take care of each other the best way you can manage but always with love and kindness, From Here.

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pvmcitypaper.comIssue 59227 March to 2 April - 2020 Within PV 7

Sheryl Novak

Welcome, Home!

It appears that many of us may be working from home over the next few months. For those who are new to having a home office, it is essential to have a proper chair, or you will find yourself with a sore back in short order.

Spending 40 hours each week sitting in a chair can cause significant health issues. When you stay seated all day, you do not get as much oxygen into your body. In a sitting position, our lungs do not

entirely inflate. We also tend to slouch when we sit. Experts estimate we start slouching within three minutes. This causes problems with our shoulders and backs. It strains our ligaments, injures discs and

joints, and pulls our back muscles because they are not meant to be in a slouched position. If you sit at a desk looking at a computer, there is an additional strain on your neck.

Leg and glute muscles weaken, hip flexors shorten, and poor circulation can result in varicose veins, swollen ankles, and deep vein thrombosis. There is also plenty of research that connects prolonged

Working from home comfortably and safely

periods of sitting to issues affecting the heart, lung, brain, pancreas, and the digestive system.

There are a few things we should consider doing to keep healthy. Every 30 minutes, make a point to get up from your desk and walk around if even for just a couple minutes. When you are on the phone, stand up to get the circulation flowing. Consider purchasing a standing desk. Be conscious of how you sit so that you are not slouching. If you do need to sit for extended periods, buy a good chair.

The best-designed office chairs are ones that provide correct support of your posture, weight, and lumbar region. These are called ergonomic chairs. Manufacturers make ergonomic chairs to accommodate a range of people. They have movable parts that can provide comfort for the body type of each user.

Well-designed ergonomic chairs support the lower back. They have adjustable lumbar support. The back of the chair should follow the shape of your spine and curve at

the bottom. Higher is better when it comes to the best height for an office chair. If possible, get a chair with a back that is above your shoulder height. Without lumbar support, it is easy to strain your back. For those who have ever suffered from sciatica, you know how debilitating back strain can be. Proper back support is vital to prevent this condition.

The best office chairs should have at least five adjustments. The more, the better. Don’t opt for a chair with just height and arm adjustment. These are important, but not the ones that will keep you healthy.

In addition to the lumbar support and arm width and height, a good chair will allow you to adjust back width and height, seat and back angle, and even tension control. Your feet should always rest flat on the floor. The armrests should be close to the body allowing your shoulder to relax.

Property spaced armrests will

also alleviate tension in your neck and upper body.

Select an office chair with wheels. This will prevent strain from reaching for items across your desk. If you have a rug or carpet in your office, add a piece of plexiglass so that you can make use of the rollers.

An office chair that swivels is also beneficial since it also reduces the amount of twisting and reaching, which is hard on the back.

An ergonomic chair for your home office is well worth its cost. In addition to its health benefits, studies show that they increase productivity and efficiency. Avoid back strain, leg problems, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

If you plan to work from your home office for the foreseeable future, contact me at furniture@solutionsmexico.com for some options and prices on ergonomic chairs. It can be delivered right to your home in Vallarta without you having to leave your desk.

pvmcitypaper.com Issue 592 27 March to 2 April - 2020Beyond PV8

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A nationwide quarantine would be devastating for the Mexican economy but even without one the jobs of millions of people are at risk due to the coronavirus pandemic and the growing outbreak of the disease in Mexico.

The bank BBVA México predicts in a new report that unemployment will increase significantly in April as businesses struggle for survival amid an economic downturn triggered by the spread of Covid-19.

Report author David Cervantes writes that the most vulnerable sectors are retail, restaurants, transportation and tourism, which

collectively employ 32.7% of Mexico’s 55.7-million-strong workforce. In other words, the jobs of some 18 million people could be at risk as the result of a coronavirus-fueled recession. Casual and temporary workers will be the first to find themselves out of a job, the BBVA report says, adding that the longer an economic stagnation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic continues, the more positions will be lost.

Some businesses have already begun laying off staff because of a lack of cash flow due to a downturn in customers, the newspaper El Universal reported, adding that millions of small businesses would not survive a temporary lockdown of the country to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Eduardo Contreras, president of Mexico City

Coronavirus-fueled recession would put 18 million jobs at risk: reportbusiness chamber Canacope, said that based on conservative estimates 10% of all businesses in the capital – some 42,000 establishments – will close due to a drop in consumer demand because of the coronavirus emergency.

Stationery stores, uniform shops, internet cafes and small restaurants known as fondas are among the most vulnerable businesses, he said, explaining that many depend on their day-to-day

takings to survive. The income of some businesses has fallen by 80% in recent days, Contreras added.

The business leader said that people who work in the informal economy, such as street vendors, will likely suffer even more from an economic downturn caused by the coronavirus outbreak.

“We have a working population of 4.08 million [in Mexico City], 25% of whom have an informal business. … If they don’t sell on [just] one day, it’s difficult for them to recover,” he said.

For his part, the president of the Mexico City branch of the national restaurant association, Canirac, said that a significant reduction in customer numbers over a period of 10 to 12 weeks “would end the industry.” Marco Antonio Buendía added that restaurant suppliers will also struggle to survive.

José Ambe, CEO of logistics consultancy firm LDM, said that the situation is made worse because 90% of small and medium-sized businesses in Mexico don’t have disaster recovery plans, don’t have healthy finances or are in debt.

He said that business owners affected by a downturn in sales due to Covid-19 need to develop action plans that will help them survive a prolonged period of economic stagnation.

President López Obrador said on Monday that his administration would seek to support small businesses financially but he ruled out any possibility of waiving taxes for large businesses.

He also said that there wouldn’t be any “rescues” for banks and large companies as occurred in the “neoliberal period,” a term he uses to describe the 30 years before he came to power in late 2018.

The president said that his economic plan seeks to support the weakest and most vulnerable, not the rich and powerful, asserting that it is the poor who need to be rescued.

“We’re sending senior citizens their pension in advance. … We’re going to give loans [to small businesses]. … We’re going to expand [the loan scheme] so that it reaches more people, those who have workshops, small business owners. … The neediest [come] first. I believe that all Mexicans share this [idea],” López Obrador said.

In a video posted to social media on Sunday, the president urged Mexicans to continue going out and supporting local businesses such as restaurants, asserting that people could continue living their normal lives for the time being. However, other political leaders, such as Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum, have appealed to people to stay at home as much as possible to slow down the spread of Covid-19.

Sheinbaum has announced the temporary closure of movie theaters, sports centers, museums, bars and nightclubs in the capital but restaurants can continue to open until further notice and the public transit system, including the Metro, remains operational.

(Sources: mexiconewsdaily.com, El Universal)

pvmcitypaper.comIssue 59227 March to 2 April - 2020 Beyond PV 9

The Mexican peso fell to a new record low against the United States dollar on Monday as the coronavirus pandemic continues to take a heavy toll on economies around the world.

One US dollar was selling at banks for as much as 25.52 pesos on Monday morning, Citibanamex reported. It is the first time ever that a greenback has cost more than 25 pesos.

The financial group Monex said that the peso is facing “considerable stress” due to the economic impact of Covid-19 around the world. As the pandemic worsens, investors have rushed to free themselves of high-risk currencies, such as the peso, in favor of the U.S. dollar, which is regarded as the ultimate safe-haven currency.

Monex said that “the slow reaction of the authorities” in Mexico, where “the virus outbreak has not yet emerged in a significant way” (Ma. 23 - 316 confirmed cases), increases the forecasts for an economic impact of “alarming magnitude that will continue to drag the peso down.”

The financial group Banco Base noted that the US dollar had strengthened against a basket of major currencies in overnight trading between Sunday and Monday.

Peso hits record low, selling in banks at 25 to US dollar

Until mid-February, the Mexican peso had been one of the best performing emerging-market currencies in the world, and President López Obrador often touted its stability as evidence of his government’s sound economic management even as growth in Mexico stagnated.

But as Covid-19 spread to more and more countries and the number of cases began accumulating at a frighteningly fast pace, the peso began to waver.

The peso has weakened during each of the past 16 trading sessions, the news agency Reuters reported, making it the worst performing emerging-market currency in the period.

The price of Mexico’s export crude has also taken a significant hit in response to falling demand due to the coronavirus pandemic and a price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia, while last week was the worst the Mexican stock exchange has seen since 2008.

Amid the turmoil, the Bank of México cut its benchmark interest rate by 50 basis points last Friday to 6.5%.

The central bank said that the coronavirus pandemic would have a negative impact on growth prospects this year but did not announce a new forecast after cutting its outlook to 0.5-1.5% in late February.

However, Investment bank Credit Suisse and the Bank of America have both cut their forecasts for the Mexican economy in 2020. The former is predicting a 4% contraction this year while the latter anticipates that GDP will shrink by 4.5%.

(Sources: mexiconewsdaily.com, El Financiero, Milenio, El Universal)

pvmcitypaper.com Issue 592 27 March to 2 April - 2020Vallarta Voices10

Coronavirus. It’s our new reality. But what does that even mean? And if someone tells you they know, they’re lying. And if someone is lying to you, there’s a good chance his name is Donald J. Trump.

Of course, Trump isn’t the only world leader lying to his people. Unfortunately, so is AMLO, not out of malice and bad intent, a la Trump, but more of a head-in-the-sand bravado.

Neither is serving his country, or the world, well. Fortunately, in Mexico, as in the U.S., it’s the

Jennifer Mannjenniferwriter@gmail.com

My ViewWho’s got a plan?

state governors who are stepping up to fill the void, including the Governor of Jalisco, who has made a series of policy announcements at least trying to deal with the virus.

I started “social distancing” on the afternoon of March 12. I had lunch that day, a Thursday, with my dear friends, Tom and Craig, along with Gracie, their adorable, fluffy 100-lb. golden retriever.

We had a wonderful lunch of margaritas, beers, burgers, and paninis at the lovely and serene River Café. Because Tom and

Craig are treasured patrons, we were off in a corner, by ourselves with plenty of room for Gracie to stretch out, and with a lovely outlook over the Cuale River.

We caught up on each other’s lives - me and my move to the colonia of Buenos Aires, which I love and adore, and them with their massive home renovations down in Garza Blanca. We talked about when they might head back to their home in north-central California. But meanwhile, they had family and friends with scheduled visits to Vallarta.

As I left that day to go to the market on the Isla Cuale on the hunt for beyond-adorable hand-made Mexican dresses for my about-to-be-born niece, I glanced at the other patrons and patronas, including a six-top table of lovely local women, was it my imagination or did we all warily eye each other?…

That Sunday, I was scheduled to go to my dear friends, Annette and Tony’s, for biscuits and gravy. But by then, I had been sitting on my couch for three days reading, reading, reading about the virus as it started working its way into what is now officially, a pandemic. By Sunday morning, I’d given myself a stress migraine and could only lay in a dark room.

So went the first week of social distancing, most of it spent as one with my couch, my laptop

computer never far away. Finally, after one week, which seemed like a lifetime, I was ready for a new game plan. My wonderful housekeeper comes on Fridays, and while she was working her magic, I planned a three-to-four hour detailed route of errands, a big loop starting from my home to Tony and Annette’s in Ex-Hacienda Pitillal, to pick up a care package my dear friend had assembled for me, then to the pharmacy by their house, next the post office in Pitillal, then to Costco, and finally to La Comer and then back home.

Most everywhere I went, employees and customers were taking practical precautions.

No one was panicked, rather everyone seemed focused on their tasks at hand.

Now my fridge and freezer and pantry are stocked, I have bookshelves of treasures waiting to be devoured, and I’ve connected with all of my friends in the U.S., from Lizzie in Silicon Valley to Debra in Kansas City and Carrie in the East Village in New York. All are hunkered down and waiting to see what the future holds.

Meanwhile, my dear friends Sherrie and Michael, after much heart-wrenching deliberation, have decided to return to the U.S., where they can be closer to their children, grandchildren, and health providers.

I consider myself to be beyond fortunate that I don’t have to make the hard choices before so many others. And it is those who I think of now, those who don’t have a choice but to go to work, or who can’t go to work and have to worry about paying the rent and putting food on the table. Those are the people I’ll be focusing on in the days ahead, and looking for ways to help sustain them through these bewildering and uncertain times.

Jennifer Mann

pvmcitypaper.comIssue 59227 March to 2 April - 2020 Vallarta Voices 11

Leza Warkentinwww.mommyinmexico.wordpress.com

Paradise and Parenting

Learning communities

So I’m just going to admit right now that I haven’t really been at my best lately. I hope this helps any of you who haven’t been the very models of calm, reasoning human beings. I think it’s good to lay it out on the table and just acknowledge that we aren’t perfect. I’ll start with all the ways I have been less than stellar in the management of the Current Situation:

- I’ve read too much information, false and otherwise- I have been doing a lot of sitting around and wishing things were

different- I have snapped repeatedly at a variety of family members

including our dogs, who (let’s admit it) haven’t consistently been Their Best Selves either

- I’ve wept real tears over my children’s high school assignments because I was never meant to teach anyone about cellular division. I just wasn’t.

However, I have been absolutely stellar in other areas. I’ve learned a new way to continue my students’ education online, and I learned it in twenty-four hours. Anyone who knows me understands that this is nothing short of supernatural in the level of achievement. Here is the thing (and it’s a big thing): I teach early childhood. I believe strongly in the importance of play and in the construction of knowledge using concrete, real-life materials. To that end, I do not advocate for iPads in the classroom for kindergarten students. I recommend that families limit screen times for their young children.

Thus, I am not a very technologically astute person. I spend most of my professional development time on things that I DO advocate for in an early childhood classroom: cooperation, language development, social interaction, all wrapped up in a beautiful package called PLAY.

But now, my classroom is contained within an application on an iPad. And my students aren’t physically with me. I guess this is probably a good thing because we aren’t supposed to hug or even shake hands. And if you’ve ever been in my classroom, you know that there are a lot of hugs going around.

When we got the news that our schools would be going online, our technology director suggested an app to our Early Childhood team. The app is called FlipGrid, which allows for teachers to post videos, pictures, documents, etc., and invite feedback via video responses from students. So each day, you’ll find me in another room in my house, chatting away to a screen or giggling over my students’ happy responses. We’ve decided to design our own blanket forts and have a big ol’ pajama party next week. We’re going to meet up all day Friday on the app so we can all see each other’s forts.

I thought I’d find it uncomfortable to show up on video, but it feels like I’m talking directly to my kids, the way I do each morning in my classroom. And the children’s responses tell me they feel the same way. Their video responses are smiling and chatty and brilliant. They are enthusiastic and bright-eyed, full of ideas, and eager to be part of the group. Their messages are filled with hope and caring: “I miss you guys!” “I love you, Miss Leza!” “I hope everyone is fine!”

Technology and social media have two very sharp edges. There’s too much false information running around, filling people with dread, worry, and fear. But it’s become my link to the job that is my passion. And it’s the glue that is holding my classroom family tightly together. When my students see that school goes on, that life goes on, they feel like it’s going to be ok. And when I see their happy, excited faces, I feel pretty hopeful about the future too.

While we are all apart, let’s find a way to connect that invites hope, peace, and unity. Whether it’s FaceTime with family and friends or a virtual classroom, we can be promoters of love and peace. Brighten someone’s day and wipe away the cobwebs of loneliness and despair, just like a little group of five-year-olds has done for their teacher.

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pvmcitypaper.com Issue 592 27 March to 2 April - 2020Vallarta Voices12

Anna Reisman

Also known as the Flame Vine, Llamarada and Pyrostegia venusta, this large woody evergreen vine is originally from Brazil. It is a rampant climber that carries cascades of bright orange tubular flowers which tend to grow along railings, wires, and fences, over rocks and even buildings. It is a stunning ornamental plant when in bloom; however, it can become invasive if not pruned. In Brazil, the leaves are used in traditional medicine as a tonic and for treating diarrhea.

It is very attractive to hummingbirds.This plant is one of over 200 found in Sandra’s color-coded

guidebook, Tropical Plants and Walks of Puerto Vallarta. Available at the Vallarta Botanical Garden’s gift shop www.vbgardens.org, and Page in the Sun Bookstore at times.

Sandra is the owner / operator at Puerto Vallarta Walking Tours. She says, “I have been offering my walking tours through many of Vallarta’s neighborhoods since 2009 while sharing my knowledge of the culture by immersing visitors in everyday local life. I am also an author and photographer and have created two guidebooks and photo cards. I have an M.Ed. and years of experience in international marketing and travel and am certified by Mexico’s Department of Tourism.”

The Orange Trumpet Vine

Where to start? Everywhere we look, things look

glum despite the beautiful sunshine bathing us, as always.

On the other hand, many who use the internet to post their feelings and/or opinions offer wonderful alternatives … humor, games, virtual tours of world museums for art lovers, etc. Kudos and thanks to them all!

True, but as much as we may be saddened by the closure of some places, and the cancelation of some events, some hurt more than others.

Those who know me know that I love croissants and espresso. I will miss Los Mercados tremendously.

I think my little 20-year old Tracker goes there by herself. Plus, I delivered the papers there ever since they opened, refilling the stand a few times a week, I became addicted. And then they started baking their own “ooh-la-la” baguettes! Oh my!

So that story is coming to an end this weekend, to the dismay of many, many locals. And then, looking around, we find a brand new Danish bakery called Litten Brod, located at 311 Lazaro Cardenas, offering those long, thin baguettes and superb coffees. Hmmm… Those who’ve sampled them loved them, so I guess I’ll have to do the same.

As so many have suggested before me, please, please do spend some money in those places that are trying so hard to stay open in order to keep a little income going to their employees during these hard times, including those who have suspended their ads in the Mirror but remain open, always following government directives, for example: Kaiser Maximilian, Hacienda Alemana, etc.

Have you noticed the orange flowers growing all over Hacienda Alemana’s wall on Aguacate? Our friend Sandra has promised to send us her varied articles regularly from now on. Makes me happy ‘cause she writes so beautifully, knowledgeably, about so many different topics.

By the way, we chose the photo for the cover not only to show how deserted the streets of our beautiful town are nowadays, but also the façade of Arte Viviente (800 Morelos), the incredible 2-story marvel operated by my friend Marcia and her partner Kim. If you’re an art lover, any kind of art, created by the gifted artists and artisans of the Bay of Banderas, you’ll just love that place! And it’s so spacious that you will never have to be closer than need be to anyone.

Here’s another announcement that might be of interest to you, from another kind of artists, the ice cream geniuses of Lix:

“Drooling for some artisan ice cream? We’ll DELIVER! 12 to 5 p.m. 322 168 1746 or 322 172 2258. Minimum: 3 pints.

D E C A D E N T ICE CREAM SANDWICHES (yes, we make the cookies too).

Homemade Monster Cookie (peanut butter, oatmeal, chocolate chips, m&m’s) filled with VanillIa or Chocolate ice cream, Belgian Fudge Brownie, Berry Cheesecake, Blackberry Cabernet Sorbet, Blueberry Lavender, Chocolate, Cookies ‘n Cream, Coconut, Ginger, Mint ‘n Chocolate, Mocha Almond Fudge, Passion Fruit Sorbet, Peanut Butter Chocolate Truffle, Pistachio, Roasted Cherries ‘n Chocolate, Rocky Road, Salted Caramel ‘n Pecans, Salted Caramel ‘n Chocolate, Strawberry Sorbet, Vanilla Vallarta Chunk (belgian fudge, salted caramel banana, peanuts).

Remember... handmade in small batches each week, anything with chocolate is amazing natural belgian chocolate. Fresh ingredients! Is your mouth watering yet?”

Gotta go, until next time, be safe, stay well, and enjoy life - wherever you are. sheis@ymail.com

Sandra Cesca

pvmcitypaper.comIssue 59227 March to 2 April - 2020 The 7 Arts 13

pvmcitypaper.com Issue 592 27 March to 2 April - 2020Map14

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pvmcitypaper.comIssue 59227 March to 2 April - 2020 Map 15

pvmcitypaper.com Issue 592 27 March to 2 April - 2020The 7 Arts16

Danny Mininni / Alfonso Lopez / Oscar Cisneros

Act2PV would like to take a moment to say hello to all of our friends and loyal supporters! As you know, we have joined most of the venues around the world and have closed our doors indefinitely so that we can help to stem the tide of the devastating Coronavirus. We have kept our staff on payroll in hopes that we can re-open some of our shows in the not-too-distant future; however, nothing is certain at this time.

We pray that this nightmare ends quickly, for everyone’s sake.

2020/2021 PRODUCTIONS:In the meantime, we are complying with the recommendations set

forth by our government and are staying home. BUT, we are still very busy planning our next season! And what a season it will be!

We have acquired the rights to the continue this year’s megahit, MAMMA MIA! into the next season! This show has been such a huge success this year, that we plan to bring it back again! Many of our current cast members will continue with us next year, but there are some roles available!

MAMMA MIA! La Cage Aux Folles GENERAL AUDITION - ONLINE!

We have also acquired the rights for the Broadway musical, La Cage Aux Folles! Prior to the shut-down, we held an audition for next year’s production, and are so thankful to the many talented people who responded.

We are still looking for some cast members for both of these shows, so we are going to hold an ONLINE GENERAL AUDITION!

If you are interested in becoming a part of either of these amazing casts, please send us a video of yourself singing a song of your choice. Please use a backing track in your recording. Also include a little bit of information about yourself, including name, phone #, email address, location, prior theater/musical experience (if any), and your availability. Experience is not necessary, but is welcomed! We will review your video, and when it is safe, will invite you to come in for an actual audition! Send your video to act2entertainmentproductions@gmail.com

TICKET HOLDERS THANK YOU, STEVE GRAND!If you have purchased a ticket for a show at Act2PV that has

been cancelled as a result of the Coronavirus shutdown, please contact us at act2entertainmentproductions@gmail.com or you can stop by our box office which will be open from 4 to 6 p.m. daily. Many people have elected to hold their tickets and use them as a credit for a show next season and some have donated their tickets back to the theater. Since we are continuing to pay our staff for as long as possible, we are especially appreciative of these kind gestures. Other options (including refunds) are available. Just contact us.

We are so grateful to our headline performer, Steve Grand, who has donated a HUGE amount of money to help us keep our staff paid during this scary time. We love you and appreciate you so much, Steve, and can’t wait see you again next year!

In closing, a big thank you to everyone who has been a part of Act2PV this year… our performers, our staff, our volunteers, our vendors, and our loyal patrons.

We all will make it through this crisis… together. Act2 promises to return… bigger and better than ever! Please

be safe and stay healthy.

pvmcitypaper.comIssue 59227 March to 2 April - 2020 Health Matters 17

Holistic Bio Spa is located in Plaza Marina, Local B-10. Open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tel.: 221-1607

www.HolisticBioSpa.com Email: Info@Holistic-Bio-Spa.com

Julie Bunker

STRESS – an overused word… One that has lost its ability to get our full attention.

Consider this: There are “known knowns”. These are things we know that we know. (I know I know how to drive a car). There are “known unknowns”. That is to say, there are things we know we don’t know. (I know I don’t know how to fly a plane). Finally, there are “unknown unknowns”. There are things we don’t know that we don’t know (that we don’t realize we don’t know). This 3rd realm is where it gets interesting... because bottom line – we don’t know as much as we think we do! We have definite and unexpected gaps in our knowledge. In psychology it’s called the “illusion of explanatory depth”, meaning you think you understand something that you actually don’t.

STRESS – we think we understand how it works, and how to manage it. But there are things we don’t realize that we don’t know. So we go on our merry ways with our lives. In other words, “Ignorance is Bliss”.

Zoli, a Naturopath and owner/founder of the Holistic Bio Spa, said that I needed to reduce my stress. He suggested that I make an appointment for a massage. My

MASSAGE – Is it necessary?

immediate response… I don’t have time for “fluff”. I have 2 rescue dogs at home, both on meds, plus my own dog is 13, and I need to spend more time with her. On top of that, I have to take my car in for servicing, and then stop by the market. “I will continue to detox my body”, I told him (as you’ve read about in my previous articles), “but truly, Zoli, I don’t have time for a massage.” That’s when Zoli told me a few things about stress, and made me realize that “I didn’t know what I didn’t know”.

Fast Forward… When I went into the bathroom at the Holistic Bio Spa after my massage, I saw my reflection in the mirror. I looked 20 years younger. Funny how your brain can play a trick on your eyes like that. I felt a shock run through me as I gazed into that mirror, but that younger woman didn’t flinch – she was calm, serene, and oh-so-relaxed as she stared back at me.

I admit that I don’t do enough nice things for myself. But I did that day. I wrote myself into my calendar for a PROFESSIONAL MASSAGE. I put myself first. Everything else got put off until the next day. (And the world did NOT come to an end). When I looked in the mirror as I washed my hands, I saw my Soul somehow “beaming

out through my face”… saying “Thank you”. It was powerful to experience that illusion. Just like with my 13-year-old dog, I also need to spend more time with my own self.

The massage room at the Holistic Bio Spa is upstairs in a serene room pushed back into a nice, quiet corner of the spa. My massage therapist, Laura (whom I called “My Angel”), used Aromatherapy and had calm music playing. There were candles and dim light. (I was in heaven).

Laura started with Acupressure. She said my muscles were exceptionally tense. She asked me if I was sleeping well. I said yes. Then I thought, “Uh oh! What if I don’t know what I don’t know… and I’m not sleeping well?” I measure sleeping well as “not awakening during the night”. Zoli said I should also consider how I feel when I wake up in the morning. (Oops, I always feel tired).

Laura had me inhale a Lavender essential oil… and she started the massage. She asked at the beginning if the pressure she was using was too hard, not hard enough. After that, I slipped into “lala land”…

That day I made the decision to have a WEEKLY MASSAGE. My “fluff”. Breathing in Lavender… Breathing out the stress I did NOT realize had taken up residence in my body. Zoli says the Holistic Bio Spa partners with you to restore vibrant health to your WHOLE mind and body… and even though massage feels like a luxury, it’s an important component to relieve Stress. I’m going again next Thursday. Call for your appointment today. Maybe I’ll see you there.

The Holistic Bio Spa is located in Plaza Marina, Local B-10. Open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tel.: 221-1607. www.holisticbiospa.com Email: info@holistic-bio-spa.com

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pvmcitypaper.com Issue 592 27 March to 2 April - 2020Health Matters18

Krystal FrostFor questions and comments - Cell: 322 116-9645Email: krystal.frost73@hotmail.com

Krystal Frost

Now that the parties are over, the feasting has slowed down and most of the family and friends have had to go home… it’s time to give yourself a break. Maybe a self-imposed distancing... Aside from keeping your immune system up to par by maintaining a balance between the 3 bodies, i.e.: feeding your physical body with the right foods and exercise, disciplining the mental body and coming to terms with your emotional body, sleep and rest are essential.

More often than ever, I hear the complaint from clients that they cannot get a good night’s sleep. They have trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep.

The Art of RestIf not now... when?

During sleep, the hormone melatonin (which is secreted only in total darkness) signals your entire body to shift from daytime running-around mode into nighttime healing mode. In addition to that, it also stimulates the nighttime release of another valuable hormone: growth hormone.

Growth hormone is vital for normal development of children, but it has wonderfully beneficial effects in adults as well. It actually:

- Makes your bones stronger - Increases your muscle mass

through the creation of new muscle cells

- Promotes lipolysis, which helps you lose body fat

- Increases protein synthesis and stimulates optimal maintenance of all internal organs

-Supports your pancreas’ ability to make insulin

- Stimulates your immune system Needless to say how important deep

sleep is. Here are some suggestions you may try if you are not getting enough.

- Listen to white noise or relaxation audios. Some people find the sound of white noise or nature sounds, such as the ocean or forest, to be soothing for sleep. We have plenty of that close by with the placid Pacific (for the most part) and Rio Cuale.

- There are some very good YouTube sleep audios that will put you under fast. A personal favorite is Micheal Sealy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLgwD7qczJQ

- Avoid before-bed snacks, particularly grains and sugars. This will raise blood sugar and inhibit sleep. Later, when blood sugar drops too low (hypoglycemia), you might wake up and not be able to fall back asleep. Asian medicine states that eating 2 hours before sleep will

stimulate the liver, where your spirit resides during sleep. Stimulating the liver with fats and sugar causes the spirit to be restless, this being the cause of restless sleep and excessive dreaming.

- Sleep in complete darkness or as close as possible. If there is even the tiniest bit of light in the room it can disrupt your circadian rhythm and your pineal gland’s production of melatonin and serotonin. Turn off all those little red lights on the DVD player, air conditioning, fans, clocks, TV, or cover them up with cloth.

- No flat screens, lap tops or iPads right before bed. It is too stimulating to the brain and it will take longer to fall asleep. Also disruptive of pineal gland function for the same reason as above. Not to mention the news factor that seems to be rather sensational and disturbing. Pick up a real paper book 30 minutes before sleep time.

- Avoid using loud alarm clocks. It is very stressful on the body to be awakened suddenly. And it may save you money when your bed partner tosses the damn thing out the window. Try going to bed a ½ hour earlier and keep the drapes open so the sun light will waken you naturally.

- Take a hot bath, shower or sauna before bed. When body temperature is raised in the late evening, it will fall at bedtime, facilitating sleep. Try some aromatherapy and candles if you have a bathtub.

- If you are menopausal or perimenopausal, the hormonal changes at this time may cause

problems if not properly addressed. I recommend MACA POWDER or pasiflora tea before bedtime that seems to work well. No coffee after 3 p.m. helps. CBD works wonders when massaged into hands and feet and back of the neck (www.organic-select.com)

- Make certain you are exercising regularly, at least 30 minutes everyday can help you fall asleep. However, don’t exercise too close to bedtime or it may keep you awake.

- Establish a bedtime routine. This could include meditation, deep breathing, using aromatherapy or essential oils.

- Natural aids - CBD oil, in massage or 8 to 10 drops under the tongue.

- Eye masks. We have one filled with lavender and flax seed which is very affective and smells wonderful.

My Mexican mom says to make an infusion of pasiflora leaves and valerian root, and drink a cup before retiring. They also make a small pillow out of the dried pasiflora leaves and sleep on it… and it REALLY works. She uses the pillows with fussy grand babies.

She also says to take a siesta in the hammock under the pasilfora tree and you will have sweet dreams. That’s for sure.

The moment has arrived…

pvmcitypaper.comIssue 59227 March to 2 April - 2020 Health Matters 19

Ricardo Mazcalmazcalteotl@gmail.com Herbalist and Nutritionist

The Healing Power

of Plants

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The New York Times said, “China Hits a Coronavirus Milestone: No New Local Infections”. On Thursday, March 19, 2020, China reported no new local infections for the first time since the coronavirus crisis began three months ago, reaching a milestone in its battle with the deadly outbreak that has upended daily life and economic activity around the world.

The virus has killed 3,245 people in China so far, making up over a third of the global total. Three months ago, on December 31, 2019, officials first detected cases of mysterious pneumonia in Wuhan, China. Fast forward to last week with the apparent cure for the virus.

I asked myself, how was that done? Here are my findings...

The Chinese, with the help of Cuban and Colombian doctors, used the Cuban-sourced, stockpiles of recombinant human interferon alfa-2B as one of the 30 medicines chosen in China to counter the epidemic (COVID-19) caused by Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).

Lessons learned from the City of Wuhan China, fighting the CORONA VIRUS.

What the Chinese, Cuban and Venezuelan doctors did was inject interferon into the affected people, but more important, injected interferon into the healthy people surrounding the major areas of infection to create a wide human flock barrier, so the virus had no place to go, then disinfected the streets, buildings, and housing. And it worked. China is on its way to recovery.

Now these Chinese, Colombian, and Cuban doctors that controlled the Coronavirus in China are in Europe helping cities in Italy, Spain, and other infected countries.

So what is interferon (IFN), and how to understand its possible role in dealing with this virus?

Basic conceptsViruses: Microscopic entities,

made up of genetic material (can be DNA or RNA) and other molecules. Viruses cause different diseases when they enter the body. In other words, viruses cannot live independently, they need a cell from a host to replicate.

Pathogen: A biological entity capable of causing damage or disease to a plant or animal, including humans, that is susceptible to it. The SARS-CoV-2 virus, for example, is a pathogen for humans.

Interferons (IFNs, /ˌɪntərˈfɪərɒn/) are a group of signaling proteins made and released by host cells in response to the presence of viruses. Interferons are named for their ability to “interfere” with viral replication by protecting cells from viral infections.

Natural and recombinant interferons are among the most common biologic therapeutics with a broad spectrum of biologically active substances derived from herbs and spices.

Interferon is a substance produced by the body’s white cells to fight infections, cancer, allergies, and toxic chemicals. It can be made artificially or found in the following plants, which are alkaline in nature, and can be consumed as is or can be made into supplements in the form of capsules, extracts, tinctures, and tonics.

Here is a list of plants, herbs, and spices containing alkaloids:

Chlorophyll: A pigment found in green leafy vegetables and in all marine algae and spirulina. Ginkgo Biloba, Licorice, Chilcoatl, Milk Thistle, Lingzhi/Reishi mushrooms, fermented foods such as Mazmix, Kombucha, sauerkraut.

Maca, Vitamin C, and bioflavonoids such as grape seed

extract, quercetin, green tea, chamomile tea, cloves, and many more. By consuming the above herbs, plants, or spices, you are making your immune system strong and resistant to viruses by introducing natural interferon.

I know that China is criticized for taking such a strong strategy to eliminate the Coronavirus, but they did what my father would have done. My dad was one of the wisest men I know. He told me once, “son, if someone or something is attacking you, gather all your strength and courage and look at the enemy straight in the eye and fight, do not run and hide.”

As we have witnessed, most political leaders have chosen to tell the population (which they are supposed to protect), to run and hide and isolate, and yes, they want you to wash your hands.

If you are interested in sanitizing large surface areas to disinfect and eliminate bacteria and viruses, contact me or find me and all the herbal supplements mentioned in this article at Arte Viviente (Living Art) at 800 Morelos downtown. I am at Arte Viviente Wednesday evenings and Saturdays after 11 a.m. E-mail me at mexicasupplement@gmail.com for additional information about preventing the CORONA VIRUS, herbal supplements, tinctures, antiviral herbs, and food recipes to achieve your health and nutrition goals.

pvmcitypaper.com Issue 592 27 March to 2 April - 2020Real Estate20

Viewpoint

Harriet MurrayCan be contacted at harriet@casasandvillas.com | www.casasandvillas.com

Harriet Murray

First Law of Real Estate: It doesn’t matter what your neighbor’s home sold for in the past. And it doesn’t matter what your own home was worth in the past.

Primary or second home prices are dynamic, as they rise and fall, and change daily, seemingly on a whim.

What a home was worth five years ago, last month or yesterday has no bearing on what it is worth today. You did not sell your home two years ago when you could have gotten twice what you’ll get today, so getting upset about what it sells for today simply is a waste of energy.

Second Law of Real Estate: A home is worth what a ready, willing and able buyer will pay for it. The ultimate limitation is the amount of money the buyer has, either cash or a mortgage. Many markets are cash and not mortgage-based to the extent of the USA.

Your real estate agent can’t tell you what your home is worth. Zillow and other automated valuation models (AVMs) certainly can’t tell you what a home is worth. A home appraiser can’t even tell you.

A real estate agent can give you a general idea of what a home may sell for. Software valuations are fun to play with and are reasonable ways to look at pricing trends, but they should never be relied upon to price a home. And appraisers do very good work at drilling down into a home’s value.

The bottom line is, unless you find a buyer that is ready, willing and able to buy your home “at the price they decide is appropriate”, it’s not going to sell, ever, ever.

So, it doesn’t matter what you think your home is worth. And it certainly doesn’t matter what you wish your home was worth. What matters is what a buyer thinks it’s worth. And there will be no sale if a lender will not approve a loan at that amount or the seller wants or can spend all cash for a purchase.

Third law of Real Estate: Your home improvements will not make your home value increase in an amount equal to or greater than what

Basic rules of real estate sellinganywhere in the world

you paid for the improvements. Money spent on maintaining your home adds zero to the home’s value, but maintenance will help keep your home value from decreasing. This is critical to for you to understand.

Have a $30,000. swimming pool installed, and your home value is not auto-magically increased by this amount. Depending on the pool, location, nearby amenities, it may add some value to your property. Kitchen and bathroom improvements tend to have higher rates of payback than others. But there is no improvement that adds equal or more value to a home than what it cost.

That shiny new water heater you added last year, the pretty new roof or that $3,000. air conditioner compressor that was installed last week add zero dollars to your home’s value. The fact that the water heater, AC and/or roof is newish may appeal to some buyers. This equipment may influence their decision to buy your home versus another one, but it don’t make the home intrinsically more valuable.

You may have to discount the price of the home at a far greater amount than repairs would cost in order to sell a home missing such basic functionality. And you’ll cut your potential buyer pool significantly without expected “features” such as hot water, cold air, water pressure, and internet / WiFi service. If you need to make fundamental repairs, you need to realize you will lose buyers if you fail to repair, even if you cannot recoup the money for repairs.

My thanks to Jay Thompson for his straightforward advice. I concur.Stay safe, keep well, and be kind to each other.

pvmcitypaper.comIssue 59227 March to 2 April - 2020 Dollars & Sense 21

Cordell Hicks

Two weeks ago, I commented about a drop in the stock market reportedly blamed on the Chinese originated Coronavirus.

Like everyone else I misjudged the seriousness of the threat and should have encouraged investors to preserve their paper wealth vehicles by immediately turning them into American dollar CASH. Cash is king once again. Now stocks are over 35% cheaper with further losses most likely. But hindsight is 20-20. Don’t look at your 401k for a while longer or you may have a heart attack.

FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER:......... The S&P 500 Index fell from its one year high to its one year low in less than three weeks. losing 4% every day last week (the first time since 1929).......... The US Corporate Bond Index lost 7% in one week.......... Ninety % of the stocks on the New York Stock Exchance (NYSE) were down for the week...........Trading on the NYSE was halted four times...........The NASDAQ lost 3.7%, the largest one day decline ever...........This month the market wiped out three years of stock market gains.

The Chicago Board Option Exchange (CBOE) volatility Index, a bottom indicator, at 66 is not pointing to one yet.

The Coronavirus is spreading everywhere -except where it began in China- and the US federal government is belatedly trying to contain the infection by throwing money to the corporations and the voters over the health facilities. After all, it is a reelection year and self-interest is still dominant in Washington, DC.

To all of us expatriates living in paradise Mexico, though the spread of the virus is slower that the rest of the world and the peso/dollar excharge rate is much better (back to December 2016 rate) and Pemex gasoline down to 16.40 pesos a liter (about $3.00 a gallon). All in all, a good place to wait it out.

Stay safe, stay well …and Happy Easter!

Cordell Hicks was a stock broker for 27 years in Albuquerque, NM, beginning with Quinn & Co. and ending with the Royal Bank of Canada’s firm, Dain Rauscher. Since he was in the oil exploration business before becoming a stock picker, his specialty area was oil and natural gas. Now he serves as an independent investment consultant for a few of his former clients and mostly spends his time enjoying the good life in the tropics. If you have any questions or comments, you may contact him through avineberg@yahoo.com

Dollars & Sense

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Dear guests,

We want to inform you that given the situation, we have made our entire menu available for take away as well if you want

to enjoy our cuisine at your home instead.You can pick it up during our normal service hours.

Notice: We do have normal a la carte service in the restaurant as well and operating according to the authorities

with the highest hygiene standards and precautions.Check our menu —> https://bit.ly/2xcybPa

pvmcitypaper.com Issue 592 27 March to 2 April - 2020

Emergency

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Ongoing Events & More...

For a comprehensive list of most -if not all- charity groups and non-profit organizations in and around PV, you may want to check out:

ww.puertovallarta.net/fast_facts/non-profit.php

Historical Naval Museum (right next to Los Arcos Amphitheater) $45. Pesos.

Voladores de Papantla perform @ 6 p.m. on the Malecon in front of La Bodeguita del Medio.

PLEASE leaf through this issue for the many events thatdo not appear here ...and JOIN US ON FACEBOOK!

N.B.: All events are subject to change without notice.

Wednesdays - 4 p.m. BINGO! - at Nacho Daddy’s

Mondays to Saturdays - 9 & 11 a.m. + 1 & 3 p.m. - El Salado Estuary Mangroves Tours, bilingual guides. Reserve at 226-2878 or 044 (322) 175-7539.

Fridays - Shabbat Services & dinner. Info & Reservations: Rabbi@chabadvallarta.com

Wednesdays - 8 p.m. - Practilonga! - at J&B Dancing Club, Fco. I. Madero 178. Free!

12 noon to 1 p.m. - Center for Spiritual Living - at Las Tres Huastaces 444 Olas Altas. Info: rev.corinascherer@gmail.com

11 a.m.-2 p.m. - AngeliCat & Acopio Pet Adoptions - at Plaza Caracol

Sundays - 6 to 7 p.m. - Municipal Band,7 to 8 p.m. - Danzon Music - Dancing in the main squareSPCA - To find your perfect companion animal rescued by the

SPCA, please contact spcapv@gmail.com

Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays - 9 a.m. to closing - PETCO Cats & Dogs Adoption Center - next to La Comer

Mondays - 11 a.m. - Mahjongg - at Andale’s - 221-5730Tuesdays & Wednesdays - 10:30 a.m. - IFC Home Tours leave Sea Monkey restaurant - www.ifctoursforvallarta.com

10:30 a.m.-12 noon - Writers’ Group - at the Lions’ Club, 280 Fco. Madero, upstairs from Three Hens & a Rooster

Saturdays

Thursdays - 9:50 a.m. - Cultural Tour of PV Artisans - meet at Guadalupe Church - 370 Hidalgo (main square) $300. Pesos

PLEASE NOTE!In accordance with authorities’ recommendations,

all markets in the Puerto Vallarta area will be cancelleduntil further notice.

pvmcitypaper.comIssue 59227 March to 2 April - 2020

Sunday English Church Services9 a.m. - English Services, also Bilingual Services on Sundays at 10:45 a.m. - at Calvary Chapel (non-denominational) by Hotel Las Palmas.9:30 a.m. - English Worship Service - First Baptist Church, next to Park Hidalgo.9:30 a.m. - Grace Vineyard Church - at Westin Resort & Spa in the PV Marina, 9:30 - English, 10 - Español.10 a.m. - Bilingual Catholic Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe 10 a.m. - Christ Church by the Sea, English Services & Communion in the Anglican-Episcopalian Tradition, Plaza Genovesa.10 a.m. - Traditional Christian communion service - at the Anglican Church PV10 a.m. - Amazing Grace Christian Church - Non-Denominational - at Ciao Restaurant, Paseo Cocoteros 35, Nueva Vallarta.10:30 a.m. - Non-Denominational Contemporary Christian Worship Paradise Church at Act 2.11 a.m. - Bilingual Catholic Mass at the Church of Santa Cruz (Lázaro Cárdenas)

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pvmcitypaper.com Issue 592 27 March to 2 April - 2020Hi Tech24

Solution to crossword page 27 Solution to sudoku page 27

Ronnie BravoRon can be found at CANMEX Computers. www.RonnieBravo.com Sales, Repairs, Data Recovery, Networking, Wi-Fi, hardware upgrades, Graphic Design, House-calls available. Cellular 322-157-0688 or just email to Canmex@Gmail.com

The short answer is probably not… BUT, the current home confinement of an estimated 1 BILLION+ people worldwide (and growing), will definitely play havoc with internet bandwidth in countries around the globe.

With more and more countries and states within countries, ordering its citizens to remain home, (with exceptions for getting groceries and medicines) what do you think people are going to do at home to pass the time? Playing solitaire on the laptop… playing with the family dog or cat all day? No… after an hour or so of any of those things to occupy people’s time, they are going to stream something.

This is where the internet WILL undergo its biggest test ever! Just think about it… ONE BILLION people (and that number is growing daily) are being asked to stay at home to help prevent the spread of this virus. Some people are able to work from home, which leads to a huge demand for video conferencing as well, Facetiming to the family (even if in the same city, to avoid infecting others) is also

Will Covid-19 break the internet…?

seeing a huge spike in daily usage.So… then you add the

entertainment streaming platforms. Netflix at the end of 2019, had 167 million users worldwide… Amazon prime video had subscribers passing 150 million users… Hulu over 30 million in the US. Those numbers do not include new subscribers the past months due to world events. So EASILY, we’re looking at 400 million users of just these 3 entertainment streaming services.

Add another 100 million users for various other streaming services, web sites, live TV, video conferencing into the “office” from home… easily 550 million people total, have streaming capabilities at their fingertips and many will be doing so for hours upon hours each day!

This kind of numbers, using 6-8 hours / day of streaming of some sort, will be a drain on bandwidth and the internet in general. Normally Netflix for example, has a 30-40% subscriber usage on Sundays. That number is now multiplied at least double and is running 7 days a week.

Already in the EU, regulators have instructed Netflix to dial down their quality of video streaming from 4K and HD (very high internet usage amounts), down to SD (standard definition) in many cases. This will help spread out the internet bandwidth to more users to stream with. I am sure this is going to happen in the US and here in Mexico as well, as the number of home bound people increase.

I’ve already heard from some Netflix users, that they have to try several times to get a stream going… sometimes successfully and sometimes with an error message. This will only increase as common place in the weeks to come. It’s not a matter of what your individual speedtest may show… but rather the different steps (hops) that your stream must go through between Netflix servers and your TV or device.

For example, all internet providers have their servers that connect directly to their customers (you). From their servers, the internet goes to the “backbone” internet feeds to generally, the US backbones, then to service providers serving the sender of the streams. In all, it’s not uncommon for a single “stream” to pass through 3 or 4 points.

If any of those transition point gets overly congested, that’s where bottlenecks can happen and cause errors or dropped/frozen streams. Already in New York City, measured bandwidths of consumers are down between 25-35%... and will only get worse. Like long lines in the grocery stores, you are going

to have to be patient during this time with your internet as well.

Just be patient and grateful we do have all the options we do today. Imagine if this had happened back in the late 90’s, when there was basically only email, only non-interactive webpages, no Netflix, no YouTube, and no video streaming at all... This was the internet not too long ago!

Luckily for us here in Vallarta, (as of writing 3/23) there are still no confirmed cases in our Paradise. I actually went to Costco today to get some proteins and things were remarkably calmer than last week at the same time. Stock was plentiful (even of the magic toilet paper) and the mad crush had subsided to a manageable flow of people. I guess last week everyone stocked up and their purchases now reached the ceiling of their homes… so they have no more room for hoarding any more nonperishables! LOL.

Like I said last week… Time to take a deep breath and relax… this too shall pass.

That’s all my time for now. If you’d like to download this article or previous ones, you can do so at www.RonnieBravo.com and click on “articles”. See you again next week... until then, remember only safe Internet!

pvmcitypaper.comIssue 59227 March to 2 April - 2020 Fish Tales 25

Stan Gabruk

(Owner of Master Baiter's Sportfishing & Tackle)

Web page: www.MasterBaiters.com.mx Local Phone at: (044) 322 779 7571 or our international number is: 011 52 322 209 1128 10 to 9 local time. #MasterBaitersSportfishing on Instagram

The trade name Master Baiter’s ® Sportfishing and Tackle is protected under trade mark law and is the sole property of Stan Gabruk.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Master-Baiters-Sportfishing-Tackle/88817121325

Stan Gabruk

Well, here we all are, stuck in a pandemic as Puerto Vallarta gets shut down like the rest of the world!

This week’s report is about the bay and the possibilities which are mostly ignored. Fish don’t know there’s a pandemic so they’re ignoring the whole situation. With 68-degree water temperatures we’re still seeing the cold water species like Sea Bass, Snapper and Grouper around the river mouths. But there are some “secret” spots in the Bay where you’ll be alone and catch all you want. The point being you don’t need to go to the deep water locations, especially at this time of the year, to get some wonderful action in our world famous Banderas Bay of Puerto Vallarta.

The water temps hovering at 68 degrees is the coldest you will see for the year, lasting for about six weeks. Not long, but with this cold water come Snapper of all kinds, Sea Bass and Grouper. Great tasting and fun to catch, with the upside being you don’t need to head to the deep water fishing grounds to have some fun! Since we have a “break” in the action, I get a chance to discuss the kind of fishing we normally are space squeezed on.

Most people know we have Marlin, Sailfish, Tuna and the list is almost endless when you consider the possible species available in the area. There are basically two types of fishing captains in PV. You have the high profile type fishing of Marlin, Sailfish etc., then you have the in-shore fishing expert. This type of captain catches fish or he doesn’t make money.

Pandemic fishing - if you can get out there, you’ll have fun!

It’s about catching fish, not catching Moby dick! Normally these captains get clients that want to catch fish, don’t have any budget and want action! Who doesn’t? These Captains are jigging, not trolling. The difference is mostly that for some reason people don’t like Jigging. You know, you’re in one spot, you have a lure at the end of your line and you lightly pull the pole up, return to starting position, repeat. It sounds boring, but it’s just another form of fishing that for some reason has lost favor over the years.

For the most part, “local” captains know very little about bottom fishing in the bay! I’m serious, they all learned how to troll, but jigging and catching fish where the others “aren’t”, well that comes from experience.

First you have to understand the fishing grounds. Right now you can go to the Ameca River mouth and find several smaller boats trolling the same area, which of course doesn’t work “en masse”. The captain who knows the bay and the “secret” spots is what you’re looking for. One spot is in front of the Sheraton Hotel, a wonderful area where Grouper and Sea Bass will hang out unmolested by the unknowing captains fishing the Ameca River.

Another area is around Los Arcos, great bottom fishing in this area and understandably with all the underwater structures. There is always action there. Those talking with “promoters” will find they’ll tell you anything you want to hear, but don’t know much about fishing, can’t answer specifics... Experienced captains know there are always great tasting fish in the bay, you just need to go with the guy that focuses on such fishing.

Don’t know who to talk to? We got you covered. The bad news is you won’t be boating Moby Dick!

We’re still doing the shared boats, Surf Pole rentals out of the Marina Shop. We also have some loss leader promotions you’ll find on my Facebook pages (Master Baiter’s Sportfishing & Tackle). Benjamin our Tour Expert can wrap this all up in one nice package so you don’t need to fret with some of these Bozos out there.

Special Announcement: Well it’s happening again, nothing new, but there are so many people around Marina Vallarta wearing Master Baiter’s T-Shirts misleading people to think they’re Master Baiter’s, I

figured it’s time again to remind you that there’s an entire city of imposters saying they’re with Master Baiter’s. So for the record, the only Master Baiter’s shop now is in Marina Vallarta on the Boardwalk / Malecon.

We only have a couple of “Old White Guys” running the company now. Most don’t have a shop. But if you are approached by anyone, anywhere other than our location, you are dealing with an imposter!

If you go in their local, if they have one, you don’t see Master Baiter’s plainly visible in that location, walk out, they’re ripping you off and killing our reputation. So, if it’s not an “Old White Guy” by the name of Stan or Benjamin, you don’t want to do business with them… Enough Said!

Until next week, don’t forget to kiss your fish!

pvmcitypaper.com Issue 592 27 March to 2 April - 2020Nature´s World26

Planting Roots In México

Tommy Clarkson

https://www.facebook.com/olabrisagardens?ref=hl

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g150791-d5984161-Reviews-Ola_Brisa_Gardens-Manzanillo_Pacific_Coast.html

Tommy ClarksonIn Manzanillo, visit Ola Brisa Gardens, Tommy and Patty’s verdant, multi-terraced tropical paradise nestled on a hill overlooking the magnificent vista of Santiago Bay. Leisurely meander its curved, paved path, experiencing, first hand, a delicious array of palms, plants and flowers from all over the world. Or e-mail questions to him at olabrisa@gmail.com For back issues of “Roots”, gardening tips, tropical plant book or to schedule a tropical garden lunch, please visit www.olabrisagardens.com

Born with the appellation of Thomas - one derived from the Aramaic personal name meaning “twin” – I actually was such – along with my “wombmate,” Rosemary. But, with age, one learns to not always trust in the truthfulness of simple designations, tags or titles – particularly so with plant names, as I’ve well learned over the last few years. Such, however, is not the case with this plant as, upon observing this plant one can, rather easily, discern its scarlet spiral flag . . . well, with a bit of imagination perhaps!

Growing up to twelve feet tall (3.66 meters), This perennial herb is much cultivated throughout the tropics for its intriguing, yellow to orange flora. Some botanists state that it is endemic to warm climates of Nicaragua and Columbia, while others, with equal fervor, assert their origin to be Panama and Costa Rica. (In the “for what it’s worth” category, we were definitely born in the temperate to downright winter cold climes of west-central Kansas – in December, no less!) But, back to the subject, upon delving into it, I did note in the Monaco Nature Encyclopedia, that all four countries were listed, where it further elaborated that there “it grows in the open forests along the coast or on the beaches in full sun.”

This great source also stated that “The name of the genus was given by Linnaeus as homage to Dioscorides

Costus woodsonii Family: Zingiberaceae

Also known as: Indian Head Ginger, French Kiss, Red Button

Ginger, Red Cane Dwarf, Panama Candle Plant, Panamanian

Candle Ginger or Cone Ginger

Scarlet Spiral Flag

This bud’s for you!

Scarlet Spiral Flag? OK. Turn on those imagination brain cells and I guess we can see that!

Yes, a bit non-descript, but its leaves are attractive in their own way.

who had described a plant, deemed similar, with the name of Kostos; the species is honored to the American botanist Robert Everard Woodson (1904-1963), curator of the herbarium of the Missouri Botanical Garden.” It went on to inform with “The Costus woodsonii . . . is an evergreen, perennial rhizomatous herbaceous species with slightly spiralled stems. . . (while its) bracts produce nectar which attracts the ants. . . the fruits are (small) white ellipsoid capsules containing black seeds with white flesh aril (etra seed covering) that favors their dispersion by means of the birds. ”

Its flowers stand in a most attractive contrast to its bright red, bracts. As Dr. Arthur Whistler describes them in Tropical Ornamentals, it is “distinguishable by the spirally arranged, ginger-like leaves, ovoid spikes covered with densely overlapping bracts and orange (to red-orange), scarcely opening, flowers.”

From Art’s home, Aloha State, I noted in Hawaiian Plants and Tropical Flowers this elaboration, “These flowers emerge one at a time from between shiny, red, tightly overlapping floral bracts on round-tipped, egg-shaped to cylindrical inflorescences at the stem tips. The individual flowers remain almost closed and have a barely revealed yellow labellum (lower lip petal). Young plantlets emerge from the base of the old inflorescences and can take root if they touch the ground. The leaves are glossy, dark green, hairless, spirally arranged, drooping, and elliptic to egg-shaped. The cane-like stems emerge from underground rhizomes and are erect to leaning.” (In re-reading that it seems they do a lot of “emerging!”)

Ever the proper and precise one, Kirsten Albrecht Llamas, succinctly says of this plant in Tropical

Flowering Plants, “Regular moisture. Fertile organically rich, well-drained soil. Bright filtered light . . . Leaves: narrowly elliptic, to eight inches long, maroon striped, slightly hairy beneath. Often confused with the West Indian species C. spicatus, (Was going to make a really lame joke about how, of all the movies it’s seen it loves most to “See Spartacus,” but thought better of it!) which has elliptical leaves and a short, thick ovoid spike with a rounded apex.”

In that all living entities need to eat and drink, what of this character? As to water, they require copious, regular amounts and occasional misting. Regarding its meals, fertilizer-wise,” every few weeks give them a diluted solution of liquid fertilizer. Propagation of the species? While I’ve not done it (e’rrrr. I mean as regards this plant). Such can be accomplished, I’ve read, by dividing its rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs - including its offsets.

Here’s something else that I merely report but do not claim to be absolutely factual and, as of yet, have not tried for myself but – so to speak – it’s a “nugget to gnaw on!” Two different on-line sources stated the following somewhat similar information: (Its) “yellow flowers that emerge from the red cones are edible.” And “The tips of the buttons produce honey-like ginger nectar “straw” flowers which little kids loves to suck on. They’re my favorite snack when I’m weeding.” Hmmmm…

pvmcitypaper.comIssue 59227 March to 2 April - 2020

Solution on Page 24

The aim of the puzzle is to enter a numerical digit from 1 through 9 in each row, column and group of squares enclosed by the bold lines (also called a box).

Each box must contain each number only once, starting with various digits given in some cells (the “givens”). Each row, column, and region must contain only one instance of each numeral. Completing the puzzle requires patience.

It is recommended as therapy because some studies have suggested they might improve memory, attention and problem solving while staving off mental decline and perhaps reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

SUDOKU!Sudoku is a logic-based placement puzzle

The New York Times Tuesday Crossword Puzzle

Solution on Page 24

Brain Teasers

Ross Trudeau |Edited by: Will Shortz | New York Times

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pvmcitypaper.com Issue 592 27 March to 2 April - 2020